Aeromotor.



B. ZOBEL.

AEROMOTOR.

APPLIOATIDN FILED JUNE 1a, was.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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B. ZOBEL.

AEROMOTOR.

APPLICATION rum) JUNE 1a, 1008.

Patented Sept. 24,1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEETS.

B. ZOBEL. AEROMOTOR.

APPLICATION rum) JUNE 15, mos.

' Patented Sept. 24, 1912 6 BHEET8-SHEET 4.

BRUNO ZO'BEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AEROMOTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

Application filed June 15, 1908. Serial No. 438,481.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, BRUNo ZOBEL, a citizen ofthe United States, residing in Chito reach all parts of the mechanism, and iscago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Aeromotors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to dirigible machinesv for aerial locomotion that do not have a gas receptacle or vacuum chamber to effect their levitation; and it has for an object the production of such a machine that may lift and maintain itselfinthe air without reliance upon outspread aeroplanes and a forward speed increment; and the invention has for further objects such other improvements in structure or function as may be found to obtain in the device as hereinafter described or claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the entire aeromotor; Fig. 2 is a section on the line'22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. dis a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation and partially' sectional view of the motor and its clutch connection with the horizontal forward propeller-shaft, and of the adjustment of the vertical shaft fromwhich the counterweight shown in Fig. 2 depends; and Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fi 5.

Like reference numerals in icate like parts in all of the figures.

The light stiff framework of the machine is preferably composed of short lengths of whole bamboo, 10, joined together by socket connections, 12, of aluminum, and is constructed in five transverse'e sections, whereof the three middle sections form the quadrilateral center body of the machine and the front and rear sections are of truncated subconical form and respectively support the forward propeller 13 and the rudder 14 The four. cornersof the center-body of the framework sustain the four axially upright lifting propellers 15, 16, 17,and 18; and the central part of this center body of the framework contains the sub-framework 19,

of angle steel, that supports the motorv and driving shafts. A latticework flooring of split-bamboo, 20, is provided at the bottom of the framework to enable the operator also extended over the upwardly sloping base of the frontsection ofthe framework position. The shaft 29 of adapted to en to form an aeroplane surface that may assist in sustaining the weight of the forward pro-- peller that is located in said front section. The corners of the bottom of the centerbody of the framework are provided withpivotally mounted cycle-wheels 21, 21, to support the machine when resting on, and permit its movement upon, the ground.

The four axially upright propellers have the function of lifting and maintaining the machine in the air and are therefore in constant rotation; and all rotate frontwardand inward, to preserve the equipoise of the mm chine and yet not impede its forward movement. Each is provided with an exhaust funnel, 22, extending down through the framework and formed either of very light sheet metal or of fabric stretched over a funnel-formed frame. These funnels serve to protectthe operators from the great exhaust pressure of the large'propellers and to direct said exhaust directly downward, through and below the framework of the machine, so as to obtain the maximum lift.- ing efficiency of the propeller-action. This permits the use of lifting propellers of maximum diameter in proportion to the top area of the framework of the machine, and

of maximum power in proportion to the motor used. The motor, 23, is preferably of an extremely light, powerful and hi hspeed type such as the eight-cylinder ntoinette, motor-shaft 24 is miter-geared directly, at its either end, to, respectively, the front cross-shaft 25 and the rear cross-shaft 26, which cross-shafts are respectively mitergeared to the front pair, 27', and the rear pair, 28, of axially upright propeller-shafts.

The forward movement of the machine is effected independently of the above-de,

scribed lifting means, and results from the action of the optionally operable forward propeller 13, having an axially horizontal this propeller extends back toward the motor and is provided at its inner end with a clutch-pinion, 30,

the motor-sha t fly-wheel 32, said pinion be-. ing thrown into and out of such meshing engagement by means. of the lever. 33 swun 1 by the hand-rod 34'. The aforesaid forwar of French construction; and the' age the internal gear '31 on propeller is surrounded by an exhaust fun nel 35 that-forks into a pair oflaterally disposed exhaust conduits 36,36 that lead back to the rear of thefrainework of the'machi'ne sented more; directly to theexhaust current issuingfroni-=oneor-the otherof said dis-.

charge ends. Lateralsteering is thereby accomplished in a highly efiective and v dsitive To further in manner. These exhaust currents rearward and toward either side of the vertical plane of the rudder alsoaid in preservin the equipoise of the machine.

11 either side of the framework a, of the machine there. ar'mounted a: pair of aler'o planes, 37, ivotallymovable to various inclinations Y m the horizontal orthe vertical, the planes oneach side respectively be ing movable in unison by reason-ofthe connection member 38 joining the inner crank ends 39 of their-pi'vot shafts 40. Byshift-' ing 1 the pair on either side to any desired a g r variously controlled,

'tions of the'.planes} 1nfrespect to the. non of -the' a1r currents or the-direction of propulsive 1m ulse given by the'propellers. in preservin -the"equipoise of the machine under the=framework is"'c entrall providedwith; a vertically adjustable sha t-'41.'from' whose lower end there depends a counterweight'fl." The'rack 43,

hand-crank rod 7 on '45, permits this counter weight to be let :down a considerable" dis- I tance -1 below the bottom of the framework,

-'- toright the machine-when "any conditionsproducei-a tendency-to unstable balance:-

Myinvention is. hereinabove set forth/as embodied in, one j particu'larjfo m' of con: struction, -bu-t"I doqnot-limit it thereto, or

jtole'ss than all thepossible" forms in which said-invention,

as hereinafter claimed, may

devices,ior-likewurposes; l

be embodied and distinguished: from-prior a; a mechanically in. combination, a bodysframework-sustainfee \ ,"iing ers disposed" ing a propeller-motor A din pairs forward and inward, said'nropellersibeing' mutnally;seria rated by sheathing sl pl rted around the :zones of the swee flof'the nbladesgam axially horizontal: prop v substantially asspecifi'ed,"

er, ahd:.; steering J means,

2.. In a 'meehanioggg'rlevitated 1n '--comb1nat1on,;-a. fl-fr'aniework; inga pro ellermotor,

1n palrsferward and aft and on either side of the fore-and aft centerdine and all rotating- -frontward and inward, an'axially horizontal propeller loirected the flightof the. machine may be upward '-'or downward" or te'eitherside,-in res onse to. the va in'g' ged by the pinion'Mionthelevitated aeromotol,

axially upright liit-'- zontal S!Istai1i-; 5 1? pa lif r-specified. I

In, a'mech'anically levitated jaeromotor,

in combination, a body-frameworl: .sustaina propeller-motor, axially ,upnght liftmg propellers disposed in pairs forward and aft and-on either side the fore-and-aft center-lineand all rotating frontward and inward, an axially horizontal propeller lo cated'j 'iorward, a' pair of laterally disposed exhaust. conduits leading rearward from said p peller, and steering means, substane tially as specified. vs

' 4. In a mechanically levitated. aeromotor, in combination, a body-framework sustainingfa pro eller-motor, axially upright lift- :mg prope are disposed inpairs forward and attend on either side of 'the fore-and-aft center-line and all-rotating frontward and inward, an'jaxiallyhorizontal-- propeller lo-- catednforward-fa pair of laterally disposed exhaust conduits leadin rearward from said ropeller,an'da'rud er swung between the recharge ends of said conduits, substanti allya's sp cifie =-;5;;:'I n a mechanicall levitated aeromotor,

in'cor'nbination, a y-fra ework sustainin'g =zagprggeller motorw axially upright lift-- varying conditions, i1}gj-pro e e a t-jan' on either sidethe 'fore-and-aft center-lineand all rotating frontward and inward, an axially'horizontal ropeller located rs -dispose'd;in pairs'forward and forward,---a pair of latera ykdis' osed exhaustflaonduits leading rearward rom said swung. between the 'dischargeends of said conduits, substantially, as specified,

6.111 a mechanical levitated aeromotor, in combination, a'bo y-framework sustainpropeller and having their discharge ends conrergingtoward" the rudder, and a rudder ing a pro eller-motor, axially-upright lift ing prope ers disposed in pairs forward and aft and on 'either'side the fore-and-aft oen tar-line and all rotating frontward "and inward, exhaustfunnels extending downward (from said-lifting. pro Here,- an axially horizontal. ropeller, an

, steering means, substan'tial y a ified.

7. In": a mec anically levitated aeromotor,

n-jonlbi nation, a body-framework t i a ipro' Her-motor axially upright, lift.

' lng'prope ers dispose in pairs forward and pell'er, and steering "means, substaiitially' as combination, abody-framework sustain- 1 g a. pro eller-motor axiallyupright'liftaita'nd on either side the lforeand aft cen ter .lin e and all "rotating" frontward and in -v ward,-iexhaust funnels. extending downward l from? said lifting propelleraankaxially horipropeller located forward, .an xhaust conduit .tleading Tamara from said pro 1 aft and on either side the fore-and-aft center-line and all rotating frontward and inward, exhaust funnels extending downward from said lifting propellers, an axially hori zontal pro eller located forward, a pair of laterally disposed exhaust conduits eading rearward from said propeller, andsteering laterally disposed exhaust conduits leading rearward from said propeller, and a rudder swung between the discharge ends of said conduits, substantially as specified.

10. In a mechanically levitated aeromotor,

in combination, a body-framework sustain-V ing a propeller-motor, axially upright lifting propellers disposed in pairs forward and aft and on either side the fore-and-aft center-line and all rotating frontward and inward, exhaust funnels extending downward from said lifting propellers, an axially horizontal-,pro eller-located forward, a air of laterally disposed exhaust conduits eading rearward from saidpropeller and having their discharge ends converging toward the rudder, and a rudder swung between the discharge ends of said conduits, substantially as specified.

11. In a mechanically levitated aeromotor,

in combination, a body-framework sustaining a propeller-motor, axially upright lifting ropellers disposed in airs forward and aft and on either side 0 the fore-and-aft center-line and all rotating frontward and inward, said propellers being mutually sepaated by sheathing supported around the zones of the swee of their blades, an axially horizontal prope ler, movable lateral aeroplanes for controlling flight, and steering means, substantially as specified. 12. In a mechanically levitated aeromotor, in combination, a body-framework sustaining a propeller-motor, axially upright lift-- ing pro ellers disposed in airs forward and aft an on either side of the fore-and-aft center-line and all rotating frontward and inward, an axially horizontal propeller located forward, an exhaust conduit leading rearward from said propeller, movable lateral aeroplanes for controlling flight, and steering means, substantially as specified.

13. Ina mechanically levitated aeromotor,

" in combination, a body-framework sustain ing a 'propeller lnotor, axially upright lifting propellers disposed in pairs forward and aft and on either side the fore-and-aft centerline and all rotating frontward and inward,

an axially horizontal propeller located forward, a pair of laterally, disposed exhaust conduits leading rearward from said propeller, movable lateral aeroplanesfor controlling flight, and steering means, substantially as specified.

14. In a mechanically levitated aerometer, in combination, a body-framework sustaining a propeller-motor, axially upright lifting propellers disposed in pairs forward and aft and on either side of the fore-and-aft center-line and all rotating frontward and inward, a pair of laterally disposed exhaust conduits leading rearward from said propeller, movable lateral aeroplanes for control-; ling flight, and a rudder swung between the discharge ends of said conduits, substantially as specified.

15. In a mechanically levitated aeromotor, in combination a body-framework sustaining a ropeller-motor, axially uprightlifting prope lers disposed in pairs forward and aft andon either side the fore-and-aft centerline and all rotating frontward and inward, an axially horizontal propeller located forward, a air of laterally disposed exhaust conduits eading rearward from said propeller and having their discharge ends converging toward the planes for controllin flight, and a rudder swung between the ischarge ends of said conduits, substantially as specified. I 16. In a mechanically levitated aeromotor, in combination, a body-framework sustaining a propeller-motor, axially upright lifting propellers dis osed in pairs forward and aft and on-eit er side the fore-and-aft center-line and all rotatiiig frontward and inward, exhaust funnels extending down-' rudder, movable lateral aero- A planes for controlling flight, and steering means, substantially as s ecified..

17. In a mechanically evitated aeromotor,

in combination, a body-framework sustaining a propeller-motor, axially upright liftingpr'opellers disposed in pairs forward and aft and on either side the fore-and-aft center-line and all rotating frontward and inward, exhaust funnels extending downward from said lifting propellers, an axially hori-' zontal propeller located forward, an exhaust conduit leading rearward from said propeller, movable lateral aeroplanes,.and steering means, substantially as specified.

18. In a mechanically levitated aeromotor, in combination, a body-framework sustaining a propeller-motor, axially upright liftin propellers disposed in pairs forward and a t and on either side the fore-and-aft centerline and all rotating frontward and inward, exhaust funnels extending downward from saidlifting propellers, anaxially horizontal propeller located forward, a pair of laterally isposed exhaust conduits leading rearward from said propeller, movable lateral aeroplanes for controlling flight, and steering means, substantiallyasspecified.

19. In a mechanically levitated aeromotor, in combination, a body-framework sustaining a propeller-motor, axially upright lifting propellers disposed in pairs forward and aft and oneithcr side the foreand-aft center-line and all rotating front ward and inward, exhaust funnels extending downward from said lifting propellers, an axially horizontal propeller located forward, a pair of laterally disposedexhaust'conduits leading rearward froni said propeller, movable lateral aeroplanes for controlling flight,

and a-rudder swung between the discharge ends of 'saidconduits, substantially as speci- 20. In. a mechanically leviated aeromotor,

in combination, a body-frameworkasustainmy hand.

from said lifting propellers, an axially horizontal propeller located forward, a pair 01 laterally disposed exhaust conduits leading rearward from said propeller and-having their discharge ends converging toward the rudder, movable lateral aeroplanes for controlling flight, and a rudder swung betweer the discharge ends of said conduitsrsubstantially as specified. I

In testimony whereof, I .have hereunto 'sei v BRUNO ZOBEL.

-Witnesses: HENRY Lovr, CLARKE, H. M. MU'NDAY. 

